Numismatic Museum of Athens
Trace the history of money in the spectacular Iliou Melathron mansion at the Numismatic Museum. Explore one of the world’s finest collections of ancient coins.
The Numismatic Museum of Athens offers a rare opportunity to step inside one of the most beautiful private residences ever built in the city: the Iliou Melathron. This stunning neoclassical mansion was the former home of the famous archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann, and its interior is a work of art in itself, featuring exquisite ceiling murals, intricate mosaic floors, and grand staircases inspired by the finds at Troy and Mycenae. It is within this luxurious setting that the museum houses one of the world’s most important collections of coins, medals, and precious stones.
The museum’s collection spans from the invention of coinage in the 7th century BC to the modern era, featuring over half a million objects. Coins are treated not just as currency, but as tiny, circular canvases that reflect the politics, religion, and artistic trends of their time. You can see the famous "owls" of ancient Athens, the royal coinage of Alexander the Great, and rare Byzantine gold solidi. The Numismatic Museum provides a unique perspective on the rise and fall of empires through the lens of economic history, all while allowing you to experience the aristocratic splendor of 19th-century Athens.
